La Peña Cultural Center

Welcome to La Peña! Promoting social justice & intercultural understanding through the arts since 1975.

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Intermediate Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series

Intermediate Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series (4 sessions)
Mondays: Nov 25, Dic 2, 9, 16 (2024) | 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Register here!

Elevate your dance game and explore the possibilities of your body as you communicate with others through dance, rhythm and flavor! This class is taught as “leaders” and “followers” and prioritizes creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone. All are welcome, and no partner is required! Let’s foster a supportive space where we can learn, grow, and move together!

This is a 4-class series designed for seasoned beginners to intermediate dancers. Completion of the Beginner Dance Class Series is recommended but not required. What You’ll Experience:

🔸 Enhance your dance skills with expert guidance from Juliana Mendonca (she/her).

🔸 Dive deeper into the rhythms of salsa, bachata, and merengue through your body’s natural movements.

🔸 Connect with a friendly community and make new friends on the dance floor!

Not ready for the Intermediate course? No problem! Check out our Beginners class series HERE!

ENROLLMENT COST:
$94 for the entire 4-class series (+ Eventbrite fees)

BONUS PERK:
Each participant will receive one complimentary entry to our community dance party ¡BAILA!

🏳️‍🌈 La Peña is a Queer affirming space: We strive to create an empowering and supportive environment for everyone 🏳️‍⚧️

QUESTIONS? Contact us at: classes@lapena.org

Let’s dance, connect, and build a vibrant community at La Peña.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON!

Beginners Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series

Beginners Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series (4 sessions)
Mondays: Nov 25, Dic 2, 9, 16 (2024) | 6:15pm – 7:15pm

Register here!

Join us and explore the possibilities of your body and learn how to communicate with others through dance, rhythm and flavor! This class is taught as “leaders” and “followers” and prioritizes creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone. All are welcome, and no partner is required! Let’s foster a supportive environment where we can learn, grow, and move together!

This 4-class series is designed for everyone, from absolute newcomers to those looking to refresh their dance skills. What You’ll Experience:

🔸 Explore and enhance your dance skills with expert guidance from Juliana Mendonca (she/her).

🔸 Dive into the basics of salsa, bachata, and merengue through your body’s natural movements.

🔸 Join a welcoming community and make new friends on the dance floor!

Already taken this class or want to dive a little deeper? Check out the Intermediate class HERE!

ENROLLMENT COST:
$94 for the entire 4-class series (+ Eventbrite fees)

BONUS PERK:
Each participant will receive one complimentary entry to our monthly community dance party, ¡BAILA!

🏳️‍🌈 La Peña is a Queer affirming space: We strive to create an empowering and supportive environment for everyone 🏳️‍⚧️

QUESTIONS? Contact us at: classes@lapena.org

Let’s dance, connect, and build a vibrant community at La Peña.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON!

Cuban Rumba Jam

Every third Sunday of the month from 2:30pm-5:00pm in our Lounge! Join us for this Cuban Rumba Community Jam that has been held at La Peña for many years. Led by percussionist and culture bearer Bruce Williams.

  • Free / donations encouraged
  • Family-friendly event
  • Bring your instruments if you have them!

 

More about the Afro-Cuban Rumba Community in the Bay Area:

Since the early 1980s, the Afro-Cuban rumba community has gathered in the East Bay to preserve the traditional folkloric music known as Afro-Cuban Rumba. Harold “Butch” Haynes, an African Amercian percussionist and Oakland native, was among a handful of Bay Area musicians introducing Afro-Cuban rhythms to Bay Area musicians through organic drum circles held in Sproul Plaza at the University of California, Berkeley. Here, students and musicians could learn from experienced Afro-Cuban rumberos about rumba, as well as Afro-Cuban culture.

Overtime, this resulted in a cohesive group of Afro-Cuban rumberos and local percussionists/musicians searching for a consistent and safe place to meet, learn and play rumba. As time progressed, Yaya Maldonado, a Puerto Rican musician and educator, was able to establish a consistent rumba gathering at La Peña in partnership with Afro-Cuban rumberos living in the East Bay in the mid 1990s. Due to medical complications, Yaya relocated in 2006, passing the torch to N. Bruce Williams, an African American percussionist active in the rumba community since its inception.

Throughout the years, the rumba has hosted numerous groups and individuals from Cuba including members of Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, one of the most internationally well-known rumba groups of all time from Matanzas, Cuba. It has also provided pathways for travel to Cuba for American students and musicians resulting in the fostering of intercultural connection, appreciation and respect between musicians in the Bay Area and culture bearers from Cuba.

Latino Film Festival: Igualada

16th Latino Film Festival: Igualada Film Screening.

In Colombia, a nation marred by profound racial and socio-economic disparities, a Black woman from a rural background challenges the status quo by launching a presidential campaign.

Reappropriating the term “igualada,” Francia Márquez, catapults a movement to the upper echelons of power, by refusing to “know her place.” Fifteen years in the making, this documentary peels back the curtain on how unprecedented change can happen.

Sunday, October 27th at 4:00pm at La Peña. Details & Tickets HERE.